Barristers you can bank on

Banking litigation continues to be a fertile area for barristers specialising in financial institutions.

But, according to one banking practitioner, recent high profile cases involving Banque Bruxelles Lambert, Credit Suisse and Bishopsgate Investment Trust have been taking some of the senior banking barristers out of circulation for extended periods.

Another partner said that the central core of major players in this area has stayed more or less constant, with fewer joining the middle and upper ranks.

This list is not exhaustive but is based on the subjective recommendations of leading banking and banking litigation practitioners.

The chambers mentioned most frequently are Brick Court Chambers, Fountain Court, 3 Gray's Inn Place and 3-4 South Square.

At Brick Court Chambers, those recommended for "pure commercial banking problems" include Jonathan Sumption QC who, "when you can afford him, and can get him, is very bright indeed and very persuasive in court".

Christopher Clarke QC is regarded as "one of the leading QCs for banking work".

At the same set Mark Hapgood QC is said to be"very clever, very commercial and market-aware" and "is one of the leading practitioners in banking law and knows everything there is to know about banking matters".

Also in the same chambers, Mark Howard, although "not a QC yet, is intelligent, practical and good in court".

At Fountain Court, Peter Scott QC is "one of the leading QCs at the Bar, clear, concise and very reliable".

Peter Goldsmith QC is "very intelligent, easy to work with, and very effective in court".